Robert Jaroslav Lencho

Robert Jaroslav Lencho, 85

A memorial service for Robert Jaroslav Lencho of Mountain Home, Arkansas, will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at Kirby & Family Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Bill Rigg officiating.

Robert passed away in his sleep April 5, 2012, having just completed his 85th circuit of the sun. He was born March 31, 1927, in Blue Island, Illinois, the son of George and Suzanne (Debnarova) Lencho. He married Mary Lencho on January 4, 1992, in Edmond, Oklahoma. Educated with a degree in Electrical Engineering, he served his country with the Merchant Marine, the U.S. Army, and as an intelligence officer working in cryptography before joining the Goddard Space Center. With NASA he participated in the development of unmanned space satellites including the Hubble Space Telescope.

In 1995, Robert moved to Mountain Home from Seattle, WA, by way of Edmond, OK. His interests included ham radio, piloting, fly-fishing, golfing, and his pet dog Hannah. A lover of nature and the quiet, meditative life, he funded a scholarship program for students interested in Environmental Studies at the University of Washington. He enjoyed mental exercise and problem solving, and was passionate about sudoku.

Robert is survived by his wife, Mary Lencho; son, Brian (Sara) Lencho of Seattle, WA; daughter, Theresa Lencho of Seattle, WA; 2 stepsons, Mark (Elizabeth) Lencho of Janesville, WI, and David (Rebecca) Lencho of Cave Creek, AZ; sister, Margaret (Edward) Duckrow; five step-grandchildren: Mabre, Peyton, Kyle, Jacie (McDowell) and Zofia. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife (Orrel), brother (Milo) sister (Suzanne), three half-brothers (John, George, Andrew), and one half-sister (Mary Zenker).

Memorials may be made to The Humane Society of North Central Arkansas.

Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Visit an online obituary and guestbook at www.kirbyandfamily.com.